Former No. 1 pick weighing next step
With the new NBA season quickly approaching, Ben Simmons future has taken a surprising turn. The 29-year-old former No. 1 overall pick is now weighing the possibility of retirement after years of injuries and inconsistency.
Drafted first by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, Simmons missed his entire rookie season with an injury before emerging as a core player alongside Joel Embiid. By 2018, he had become a young star in the league, earning three consecutive All-Star selections and positioning himself as one of basketball’s brightest youngsters.
But since then, Simmons’ career has struggled to stay on track. A back injury, clashes with the Sixers over his role, and a public trade request citing both mental health challenges and organizational support issues led to his eventual move to the Brooklyn Nets. Despite flashes of his old form, he never regained the dominance that once defined his early years.
On Wednesday, the New York Post reported that Simmons is questioning whether to continue playing. According to Stefan Bondy, “Ben Simmons has generated interest from the Knicks and another team but is also questioning whether he even wants to continue playing in the NBA next season, The Post has learned.”
Ben Simmons has not played more than 51 games in a season for the past six years. His most recent stop came with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he had only a short stint before becoming a free agent this summer. Now, with fewer than 50 days before the 2025 NBA season tips off, he remains unsigned.
It is a startling development for a player once considered a generational talent. Simmons’ skill set remains unique, being a 6-foot-10 forward with the ability to run an offense like a point guard. His early career accomplishments reflect that promise.
During four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He won Rookie of the Year in 2017, made three All-Star appearances, was named to the All-NBA team in 2019, and earned two All-Defensive selections.
Yet as his injuries mounted and questions about his future grew, so too has the uncertainty around his place in the NBA league. Simmons’ decision in the coming weeks may determine whether his NBA journey continues, or concludes earlier than anyone expected.
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